[Federal Register: May 14, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 93)]
[Notices]
[Page 25890-25894]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my03-62]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
[Program Announcement 03059]
Cooperative Agreement for a Research Program on Exposure-Dose
Reconstruction Notice of Availability of Funds
Application Deadline: June 30, 2003.
A. Authority and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number
This program is authorized under section 104(i)(1)(E) of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 9604(i)(1)(E)) and
section 3019 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as
amended (Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984) (42 U.S.C.
6939a(b) and (c)). The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is
93.161.
B. Purpose
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a
cooperative agreement research program for exposure-dose
reconstruction. This program addresses the ``Healthy People 2010''
focus area of Environmental Health.
The purpose of the program is to develop and evaluate methods to
reconstruct, estimate, predict, and evaluate exposures to widely
varying contaminant concentrations, exposure frequencies, and exposure
durations, with widely varying emission characteristics that can be
found at National Priorities List (NPL) sites, Resource Conservation
and Recovery
[[Page 25891]]
Act (RCRA) facilities, and other sites or facilities where a hazardous
substance has been released into the environment. The program will
advance the development, evaluation, application, and maintenance of
computational methodologies and decision support systems for estimating
exposure-dose relations from contaminated environmental media and
hazardous substances.
A critical aspect of assessing human health effects associated with
hazardous waste sites is the evaluation of past, current, and future
human exposures to hazardous substances. In order to accurately and
meaningfully evaluate such exposures, more sensitive, media specific,
and integrated methods must be developed through a program of research
coordinated across multiple relevant, intra-related environmental,
geochemical, and biomedical disciplines. No human subjects are
involved.
Hazardous waste sites present a number of unique circumstances and
problems for ATSDR's public health assessment process. Chief among
these is the widespread occurrence of a number of hazardous chemicals
and mixed hazardous chemical compounds. In addition, some of the more
complex hazardous waste sites may contain multiple waste disposal areas
within a single site. Thus, the health assessor may be confronted with
the need to evaluate exposures to widely varying contaminant
concentrations, exposure frequencies, and exposure durations, with
widely varying geochemical and toxicological characteristics. More
novel, reliable, and expedient exposure-dose assessment methods must be
developed in order to adequately address site-specific issues.
Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the
following performance goal for ATSDR: evaluate the human health risk
from toxic sites and releases.
C. Eligible Applicants
Applications may be submitted by:
[sbull] State and local governments or their bona fide agents (this
includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).
[sbull] Political subdivisions of states (in consultation with
states), which may include state universities, state colleges, and
state research institutions.
Note: Title 2 of the United States Code section 1611 states that
an organization described in section 501c(4) of the Internal Revenue
Code that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to receive
Federal funds constituting an award, grant or loan.
D. Funding
Availability of Funds
Approximately $300,000 is available in FY 2003 to fund one award.
It is expected that the award will begin on or about September 15,
2003, and will be made for a 12-month budget period within a project
period of up to 5 years. Funding estimates may change.
Continuation awards within an approved project period will be made
on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced by required reports
and the availability of funds.
Use of Funds
Funds may be expended for reasonable program purposes, such as
personnel, travel, supplies and services. Funds for contractual
services may be requested. However, the awardee, as the direct and
primary recipient of ATSDR cooperative agreement funds, must perform a
substantive role in carrying out project activities and not merely
serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provide funds to an
ineligible party. If contractors are proposed, justification must be
provided along with the following: (1) Name of contractor; (2) method
of selection; (3) period of performance; (4) detailed budget; (5)
justification for use of contractor; and (6) assurance of non-conflict
of interest.
Equipment may be purchased with cooperative agreement funds.
However, the equipment proposed should be appropriate and reasonable
for the activity to be conducted. The applicant, as part of the
application process, should provide: (1) A justification for the need
to acquire the equipment; (2) the description of the equipment; (3) the
intended use of the equipment; and (4) the advantages/disadvantages of
purchase versus lease of the equipment (if applicable). Requests for
equipment purchases will be reviewed and approved only under the
following conditions: (1) ATSDR retains the right to request return of
all equipment purchased (in operable condition) with cooperative
agreement funds at the conclusion of the project period, and (2)
equipment purchased must be compatible with CDC/ATSDR hardware.
Recipient Financial Participation
Matching funds are not required for this program.
E. Program Requirements
In conducting activities to achieve the purpose of this program,
the recipient will be responsible for the activities under 1. Recipient
Activities, and ATSDR will be responsible for the activities listed
under 2. ATSDR Activities.
1. Recipient Activities
a. Identify, pursue, and enhance where appropriate, emerging
technical advances in exposure-dose reconstruction to encompass
reconstruction of exposure histories and determination of biologically
effective doses. These advances should include, but are not limited to,
assessment of methods such as: (1) Environmental multi-media exposure
(including such pathways as groundwater, surface water, air, soil, and
biota); (2) assessment of exposure and dose through bioavailability,
accumulation, and transformation; (3) delivery of past, current, or
potential future exposure and related dose through water-distribution
systems; (4) kinetic networks; (5) genetic algorithms; (6) dose
reconstruction; and (7) spatial analysis techniques integrated with (1)
through (6) above, as a means to bridge the gap between the release of
hazardous substances into the environment, potential dose (exposure),
and resulting health effects.
b. Reconstruct exposure and potential dose histories and determine
potential for future exposure resulting from hazardous substances in
the environment for populations in the environs around hazardous waste
sites by use of methodology driven environmental assessment tools.
These tools must include, at a minimum, simulators such as: (a)
Analytical contaminant transport analysis system (ACTS); (b) steady
flow in layered aquifer media and spatial analysis interface (SLAM-
GIS); (c) contaminant transport in layered aquifer media and spatial
analysis interface (CLAM-GIS); and (d) water distribution system
network hydraulic and water-quality simulators integrated with spatial
analysis interface and progressive optimality genetic algorithm (POGA)
optimization. These tools must be compatible with the desktop computing
devices and operating systems currently in use by the agency and its
exposure-dose reconstruction computational laboratory. The generalized
description of the theory of these assessment tools can be found in the
public domain literature.
c. Identify, characterize, and integrate uncertainty analysis
techniques, such as
[[Page 25892]]
Monte Carlo simulation into environmental assessment simulator tools,
so that environmental exposures and health-based risk assessment
analyses can be conducted. This combined deterministic-probabilistic
computational methodology must include a user-friendly interface and
should not rely on third-party or proprietary software programs or
licensing to accomplish this task.
d. Serve as a leading technical resource that provides information
and assists in developing methodologies and setting the standard for
use of methods for incorporating fuzzy system mathematics and modeling
in the area of exposure assessment and exposure-dose reconstruction.
e. Provide technical consultation and assistance in the development
of a user friendly decision support system that considers, but is not
limited to, the following:
(1) Site characterization and exposure scenario data.
(2) Environmental-media fate and transport computations.
(3) Exposure-route analysis and computations.
(4) Chemical-compound intake and exposure-dose computations.
(5) Probability distributions and uncertainty analyses.
(6) Spatial analysis computations and a geographic information
systems interface.
(7) Access to the decision support system by means of desktop
computational devices available throughout the agency and in its
exposure-dose reconstruction computational laboratory.
f. Provide technical consultation and assistance in applying
innovative and emerging exposure-dose reconstruction methodologies and
computational analyses, described above, to areas characterized by
contaminated environmental media that may pose potential health risks
to the public.
g. Provide information on development of methodologies related to
exposure-dose reconstruction by submitting, as progress warrants,
manuscripts to symposia, conferences, and peer-reviewed scientific
journals on the developments and methodology describing aspects of the
research on exposure-dose reconstruction.
h. Organize and conduct workshops, conferences, or symposia to
publicize and promote benefits of methodologies developed and to
transfer technology as part of the research program on exposure-dose
reconstruction.
i. When the project is completed, recipient will summarize
activities in a written report that includes the methodology describing
the exposure-dose reconstruction process as applied to the public
health assessment process.
2. ATSDR Activities
a. Collaborate with and assist in the development of plausible
exposure-dose methodologies, relations, and criteria for the selection
and application of computational tools, and define appropriate
assumptions.
b. Serve as a direct conduit for accessing environmental and
exposure data and hazardous waste site information that would be of
value to recipient organization to test and validate the acceptability
of the environmental assessment simulator tools developed as part of
the exposure-dose reconstruction research program.
c. Collaborate with and assist recipient organization with
benchmarking, testing, and evaluation of methodology driven exposure-
dose reconstruction assessment computational tools by providing
recipient organization with results derived from application of
methodology driven exposure-dose reconstruction assessment
computational tools when applied to hazardous waste sites.
d. Collaborate with and assist recipient with identifying and
pursuing emerging disciplines related to advances in assessment of
exposure to hazardous chemicals and mixed wastes typically associated
with hazardous waste sites.
e. Provide technical assistance to recipient organization to extend
the appropriate use of novel exposure characterization and dose
relations protocols to hazard characterization and communication
efforts.
f. Assist recipient organization in communicating information on
development of methodologies related to exposure-dose reconstruction by
submitting, as progress warrants, manuscripts to symposia, conferences,
and peer-reviewed scientific journals on the developments and
methodology describing aspects of the research on exposure-dose
reconstruction.
g. Assist in the development and dissemination of advances in the
areas of exposure-dose reconstruction methodologies to all relevant
scientific and technical groups and communities including state and
local governments and the public.
h. Assist in the planning, organization, and conduct of workshops,
conferences, or symposia to publicize and promote benefits of
methodologies developed; and assist with the transfer of technology, as
part of the research program on exposure-dose reconstruction.
i. Collaborate with recipient to summarize program activities in a
written report that includes the methodology describing the exposure-
dose reconstruction process as applied to the public health assessment
process.
F. Content
Applications
The Program Announcement title and number must appear in the
application. Use the information in the Program Requirements, Other
Requirements, and Evaluation Criteria sections to develop the
application content. Your application will be evaluated on the criteria
listed, so it is important to follow them in laying out your program
plan. The narrative should be no more than 50 pages, single spaced,
printed on one side, with one inch margins, and unreduced 12-point
font.
The narrative should consist of, at a minimum, a Plan, Objectives,
Methods, Evaluation and Budget. The objectives must include a project
schedule for the entire five-year project. (See evaluation criteria
1.d.) The application must include a 200-word or less abstract of the
proposal. The application pages must be clearly numbered, and a
complete index to the application and its appendices must be included.
G. Submission and Deadline
Application Forms
Submit the signed original and two copies of PHS 398 (OMB number
0925-0001). Adhere to the instructions on the Errata Instruction Sheet
(posted on the CDC web site) for PHS 398. Forms are available at the
following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/forminfo.htm.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or if you have
difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC
Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section
(PGO-TIM) at: 770-488-2700. Application forms can be mailed to you.
Submission Date, Time, and Address
The application must be received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on June 30,
2003. Submit the application to: Technical Information Management-PA
03059, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920 Brandywine
Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146.
Applications may not be submitted electronically.
[[Page 25893]]
CDC Acknowledgement of Application Receipt
A postcard will be mailed by PGO-TIM, notifying you that CDC has
received your application.
Deadline
Applications shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they
are received before 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. Any
applicant who sends their application by the United States Postal
Service or commercial delivery services must ensure that the carrier
will be able to guarantee delivery of the application by the closing
date and time. If an application is received after closing due to (1)
carrier error, when the carrier accepted the package with a guarantee
for delivery by the closing date and time, or (2) significant weather
delays or natural disasters, CDC will, upon receipt of proper
documentation, consider the application as having been received by the
deadline.
Any application that does not meet the above criteria will not be
eligible for competition, and will be discarded. The applicant will be
notified of their failure to meet the submission requirements.
H. Evaluation Criteria
Application
Applicants are required to provide measures of effectiveness that
will demonstrate the accomplishment of the various identified
objectives of the cooperative agreement. Measures of effectiveness must
relate to the performance goals stated in the purpose section of this
announcement. Measures must be objective and quantitative and must
measure the intended outcome. These measures of effectiveness must be
submitted with the application and will be an element of evaluation.
An independent review group appointed by ATSDR will evaluate each
application against the following criteria:
1. Scientific and Technical Review Criteria of Application
a. Methods (45 percent total). The extent to which the applicant's
proposal fully and adequately addresses: (1) Experience in methods of
reconstruction of exposure histories through the identification and
pursuit of technical advances such as environmental multi-media
exposure, kinetic networks, progressive optimality genetic algorithm
(POGA) optimization and water-distribution system operations,
uncertainty analysis, fuzzy mathematics, dose reconstruction, and
spatial analysis techniques (20 percent); (2) the familiarity,
qualifications, knowledge, and experience of the principal investigator
in his/her ability to utilize and apply methodology driven
environmental assessment tools to reconstruct exposure histories (10
percent); (3) the ability of the principal investigator to modify these
tools in order to meet the program objective as described in the
Purpose section of this announcement (5 percent); and (4) the
demonstrated ability of the principal investigator to integrate the
aforementioned computational tools into existing computational tools
and platforms so as to develop, maintain, or enhance a decision support
system in order to support ATSDR's public health assessment process (10
percent).
b. Evaluation (25 percent total). The extent to which the applicant
has fully and adequately described how it will demonstrate its
effectiveness in meeting all objectives in the evaluation of its work
plan, including: (1) The qualifications, experience, and commitment of
the principal investigator, and his/her ability to devote adequate time
and effort to provide effective leadership (10 percent); (2) the
competence of associate investigators to accomplish the proposed study,
their commitment, and the time they will devote to the project (5
percent); and (3) the adequacy and commitment of institutional
resources to administer the program and the adequacy of facilities,
such as the availability of a multimedia environmental simulations
laboratory, as they impact on performance of the proposed project (10
percent).
c. Proposed Plan (20 percent total). The extent to which the
applicant's proposal fully and adequately addresses: (1) the
development and implementation of methods designed to characterize
exposure-dose relations associated with hazardous waste sites (10
percent); and (2) the applicant's experience and past performance in
assisting ATSDR in methods development, conducting exposure
assessments, and exposure-dose reconstruction analyses (10 percent).
d. Objectives (10 percent total). The extent to which the
applicant's proposal fully and adequately addresses: (1) the proposed
project schedule, including clearly established and obtainable project
objectives for which progress toward attainment can and will be
measured: (5 percent); and (2) experience and past performance in
meeting project objectives (5 percent).
e. Program Budget (Reviewed, but not scored). The extent to which
the budget is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the
intended use of cooperative agreement funds. If applicant's proposed
budget exceeds the availability of funds, their application will be
funded at the level of availability of funds.
f. Performance goals (Reviewed, but not scored). The extent to
which the applicant's proposal adequately addresses the following
performance goal for ATSDR: evaluate the human health risk from toxic
sites and releases.
2. Continuation Awards Within the Project Period Will Be Made on the
Basis of the Following Criteria
a. Satisfactory progress has been made in meeting project
objectives.
b. Objectives for the new budget period are realistic, specific,
and measurable.
c. Proposed changes in described long-term objectives, methods of
operation, need for cooperative agreement support, and/or evaluation
procedures will lead to achievement of project objectives.
d. The budget request is clearly justified and consistent with the
intended use of cooperative agreement funds.
I. Other Requirements
Technical Reporting Requirements
Provide CDC with original plus two copies of:
1. Interim progress report, no less than 90 days before the end of
the budget period. The progress report will serve as your non-competing
continuation application, and must contain the following elements:
a. Current Budget Period Activities Objectives.
b. Current Budget Period Financial Progress.
c. New Budget Period Program Proposed Activity Objectives.
d. Detailed Line-Item Budget and Justification.
e. Additional Requested Information.
2. Financial status report, no more than 90 days after the end of
the budget period.
3. Final financial and performance reports, no more than 90 days
after the end of the project period.
Send all reports to the Grants Management Specialist identified in
the ``Where to Obtain Additional Information'' section of this
announcement.
Additional Requirements
The following additional requirements are applicable to this
program. For a complete description of each, see Attachment I of the
program announcement, as posted on the CDC website.
[[Page 25894]]
AR-9 Paperwork Reduction Act Requirements
AR-10 Smoke-Free Workplace Requirements
AR-11 Healthy People 2010
AR-12 Lobbying Restrictions
AR-19 Third Party Agreements--ATSDR
AR-22 Research Integrity
Executive Order 12372 does not apply to this program.
J. Where To Obtain Additional Information
This and other CDC announcements, the necessary applications, and
associated forms can be found on the CDC web site, Internet address:
http://www.cdc.gov. Click on ``Funding'' then ``Grants and Cooperative
Agreements''.
For general questions about this announcement, contact: Technical
Information Management, CDC Procurement and Grants Office, 2920
Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2700.
For business management and budget assistance, contact: Edna Green,
Grants Management Specialist, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA
30341-4146, Telephone: 770-488-2743, E-mail address: EGreen@cdc.gov. For business management and budget assistance in the territories,
contact: Julie Grace, Contract Specialist, CDC Procurement and Grants
Office, 2920 Brandywine Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-4146, Telephone: 770-
488-2782, E-mail: amn3@cdc.gov. For program technical assistance, contact: Morris L. Maslia, P.E.,
Project Officer, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1825
Century Boulevard, Room 3094, Mail Stop E-32, Atlanta, Georgia 30345,
Telephone number: (404) 498-0415, E-mail address: mmaslia@cdc.gov.
Dated: May 8, 2003.
Sandra R. Manning,
Director, Procurement and Grants Office, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-11975 Filed 5-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-70-P